Life has taken off for 102-year-old Hilda (From Bournemouth Echo)

Life has taken off for 102-year-old Hilda

9:51am Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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FOR a 102-year-old, Hilda Baybutt is a bit of a high flier.

Hilda, from Bournemouth’s West Cliff, has just celebrated her 102nd birthday by flying in a helicopter for the very first time.

But it wasn’t her first experience of travelling next to a pilot.

In 1928, at the age of 20, she flew in the biplane of Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus.

Hilda said: “I went to Southport with my boyfriend. He saw a sign that said ‘Have a go in a plane from Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus, 5 shillings’. So I did. It was one of those planes with an open cockpit, where you had to wear a leather helmet and goggles. It was good fun.”

When her son, Nick Baybutt, 66, asked Hilda where she wanted to go for her birthday last week, she said: “Somewhere in the country, away from the noise of the town.”

So they went to the café at Bournemouth Airport to watch the planes.

Nick thought it would be a nice surprise if he could arrange for her to fly in a helicopter: “I knew mum regretted never going in a helicopter so I took her to the flying club next to the airport.

“I asked her if she would go in a helicopter if she had the chance and she instantly said “Yes.’”

Two days later, she went up and really enjoyed it.

Apart from her keen sense of adventure, Hilda also maintains a sense of humour, and looks at least 20 years younger than her 102 years.

“I am still incredibly independent. I think I’m just lucky that I’m not ill.”

She added: “I don’t think about age anymore. It’s just a number.

“But if I knew the secret behind getting to 100 and still looking young, I would write a book.”